A Wandsworth special school for local children with severe and profound disabilities has been given an "outstanding" rating Ofsted inspectors.

Greenmead School, in St Margaret's Crescent, Putney, has been handed the top award after inspectors praised its excellent quality of teaching, high achievement of its pupils and the school’s strong leadership. In their report into the school’s effectiveness the inspectors concluded: "Parents and carers say, in discussions and through questionnaire responses that they are extremely pleased, and often amazed, with the progress their children make at the school. "

A good example of this was when a pupil was showing how he could take his first walking steps, and staff deliberately held back from assisting him, while everybody held their breath willing him to succeed - which he did."

Greenmead caters for children with serious physical disabilities and associated learning difficulties, it also teaches those with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Schools spokesman Councillor Kathy Tracey said the praise was "richly deserved".

The full Greenmead report can be viewed on Ofsted’s website.